Many companies talk about doing things differently; about being a different kind of company, willing to eschew the trappings and pitfalls of other businesses in order to pave their own way and define their own destiny rather than have it thrust upon them. This is what Google is doing in China, and from my own perspective I think we should applaud their actions.

I believe what Google hopes to achieve by doing this is to stay true to their ethos and informal corporate motto: "Don't be evil." They’re a fundamentally different kind of company, and they’re finally acting like it in China. Good for them.

Regarding those who speak of Google’s “suicide” and “withdrawal”, the counterpoint argues that due to the relentless censorship, spying and now apparent organized and pervasive hacking activities of the Gmail accounts of Chinese human rights activists by the Chinese government, it's not Google that's potentially withdrawing from China; it's China that's withdrawing from the world. It is important to point out that twenty large companies from a wide range of businesses -- including the Internet, finance, technology, media and chemical sectors -- have been attacked. After four years of submission Google is clearly taking a stand.

And whilst it is certainly true that they may be risking long-term prospects, in the short term, the decision won’t have much impact on the company’s revenue. Today, Google’s revenues in China represent less than two percent of the $26 billion in revenue that most analysts expect Google to post this year.

Paraphrasing Winston Churchill, I believe companies, individuals and indeed all of us should be confident enough to believe that history will be kind to us, for we intend to write it.

As far as I know, http://www.google.cnis still up and running which suggests that the Chinese governmentmight not be as quick to pull the plug on one of the world’s biggestand most influential companies as one might think.

Interesting post dude, but I find that the whole "don't be evil" thing grates with how they began their operations in China in the first place. Taking a higher moral ground now kind of rings hollow. Still, it will be interesting to see how this plays out. I suspect both sides are blowing smoke.# posted by Sam : 4:02 AM, January 27, 2010